D-Day veterans called to action

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

D-Day veterans are being asked to contact the Royal British Legion to gain access to D-Day 70th anniversary events in June.

RAF veterans pictured in Normandy (library image)

Second World War veterans who are planning to attend commemorations to mark the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in June are being asked to contact the Royal British Legion to make sure they can gain entry to the sites they wish to visit.

Due to the high profile nature of D-Day 70 there will be security restrictions in place in Normandy, and accreditation is required for many of the events during the anniversary period.

The Royal British Legion and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) will facilitate the accreditation required for sites in Normandy, and veterans are being asked to contact the Legion as far as possible in advance.

The National Chairman of the Royal British Legion, John Crisford, said:

Our priority is to ensure all D-Day veterans who wish to attend events in Normandy in June have the access they require to commemorate this very special occasion.

It’s understandable given the high profile nature of these events that some security restrictions will be in place, and it’s the Legion’s role along with MOD to make it as straightforward as possible for veterans to attend.

2014 marks the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings during the Second World War. The Legion and MOD have the privilege of leading the nation in paying its respects to all those who fought and died in the battle through a series of events taking place on 5 and 6 June, known as D-Day 70.

Over the coming months, the Legion and MOD will be working towards the commemorations, which will include memorial services at Bayeux Cathedral and the Bayeux War Cemetery.

If you are, or know of, a Second World War veteran planning to travel to Normandy for 6 June 2014, please contact the Legion either by email at dday70@britishlegion.org.uk or by writing to: ‘D-Day 70’, The Royal British Legion, Haig House, 199 Borough High Street, London SE1 1AA.